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Sanford Health offers sleep clinic at Perham clinic, hospital

If you've noticed that you're often sleepy during the day, have morning headaches, snore heavily or experience breathing irregularities during sleep, these may be signs of a sleep disorder. Most sleep disorders can be effectively treated once they have been accurately diagnosed. These include difficulties in falling asleep, staying asleep or remaining awake, and excessive daytime sleepiness.

Professionals experienced in sleep-related disorders and sleep-exacerbated disease conduct initial sleep assessments at Sanford Perham. Upon making an appointment, a questionnaire is sent to each patient and the bed partner to complete.

After this initial appointment, the medical staff develops a plan for further evaluation and/or management of the patient. Individualized management can greatly improve sleep-wake functions.

As part of the sleep evaluation, it may be recommended that a patient have an overnight sleep study. During this study, a patient's sleep is recorded during his/her normal bedtime hours to simulate an average sleep period as closely as possible. This can be done at the Sleep Center, located in a building across the street from Sanford Perham and PMHH by a polysomnographic technologist. Patient questions related to the nature of the test are answered, a brief pre-sleep survey is completed and recording electrodes are applied.

The patient then retires in an individual soundproof and climate-controlled bedroom. The polysomnographic technologist monitors the patient's sleep in the control room; the technologist is continuously available should a patient require assistance.

Upon completion of the overnight recordings, electrodes are removed and a brief post-sleep survey is completed. Patients usually are ready to leave around 8 a.m. A follow up appointment is scheduled to address the findings of the study and to discuss any concerns to assure good management of the patient's sleep disorder.

Patients can arrange an appointment by calling 701-234-5673 or 800-437-4010 (ask for the Sleep Center). Most patients are required to have a referral from their primary doctor to receive a referral to the Sleep Center.

The referring physician will receive a full account of the patient's diagnosis and the recommended plan of management as soon as both are determined.